Keiton Klein and his North Stars teammates will play Kindersley for the eighth of ten meetings Friday, in a season series the Stars lead 6-0-1 heading into play. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Rivalry weekend begins

North Stars head to Kindersley to open final weekend series with Klippers

Mar 4, 2022 | 2:00 PM

With just six games to go on the regular season schedule, the Battlefords North Stars remain uncertain as to where they’ll finish the campaign as far as seeding, as they enter their final home-and-home with the Kindersley Klippers.

Making their way into Kindersley Friday, the North Stars (31-15-6) enter play fifth overall in the league standings with 68 points — though just a single point back of both Melfort and Flin Flon for as high as third overall — while still holding two games in-hand on the Mustangs and a single in-hand on the Bombers.

Stars forward, Dylan Esau was named runner-up for SJHL Forward of the month for February, and has been especially hot of late. Esau has scored six goals, 12 points over his last five games, and is coming off his first career hat trick Sunday versus Melville. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The Stars enter the weekend coming off a 4-0 win over Melville, as the winners of four of their last five.

However, the team will be faced with a pressing challenge Friday in the form of a desperate division rival.

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The Kindersley Klippers are the lone remaining team outside the playoff picture with still a chance to sneak in in the final games. Sitting ninth overall, and five points back of Notre Dame for the eighth and final playoff spot with just four games to go, the Klippers will likely need to all but run the table down the stretch to give themselves a chance, which starts with their weekend series with the Battlefords.

Adding fuel to the fire, with just four wins in their last 10 overall the Klippers will also be desperate to snap a three-game losing skid.

Head coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said his team will need to be ready from puck drop for a desperate team in Kindersley.

“They’re going to be as desperate as any team left here, as they’re looking for two points both nights,” Klimosko said. “It’s going to be a tough test for us as they have nothing to lose and they need these points, so we’re going to expect their best and we’re going to have to match that.”

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will be available Friday on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7 p.m., with puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

#18 E. Wurst, #28 D. Esau, #24 S. Kesslering

#21 J. Southgate, #10 B. Blake, #23 K. Klein

#29 E. Waldie, #25 C. Bear, #3 Z. Florence

#11 M. Henry, #17 T. Bahm, #27 E. Scriven

Defencemen:

#26 W. Steele, #22 R. Little

#7 S. Witt, #6 T. Gold

#2 T. Ewart, #14 G. Granger (“AP”)

Goaltenders:

#1 A Schwab

#35 L. Kenyon

INJ: #16 Holden Doell (C), #9 Dace Prymak (C/RW), #20 Ryland McNinch (C), #4 Jordan Grill (D), #5 Easton Rask (D), #30 Michael Harroch (G)

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1